A 27-year-old sports reporter died Wednesday, February 5, while on assignment to cover Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana, less than a year after losing his wife in a car accident. The couple leaves behind a toddler daughter.

Adan Manzano, a sports anchor and reporter for Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, was found dead in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana, just outside New Orleans. While an autopsy has been completed, the cause of death is pending further testing results, according to the Jefferson Parish coroner’s office. The Kenner Police Department is investigating the death, though initial reports indicate no signs of trauma.

Police advanced their investigation on Friday, February 7, by arresting a woman suspected of using Manzano’s credit card. Fox8 reported that the woman has a criminal history that includes credit card fraud and accusations of drugging men. Investigators stated that surveillance footage showed her in Manzano’s company and leaving his hotel room.

By Friday afternoon, the woman, identified as Danette Colbert, of Slidell, had been charged solely with fraud and theft, according to an email statement from a Kenner police spokesperson. The spokesperson noted that the investigation is ongoing and stated that additional charges could still be filed.

Telemundo Kansas City described Adan as an outstanding professional and a rising talent whose commitment and skill exemplified excellence in his work. They expressed that he would be greatly missed, along with his passion for sports and his impact on the local community.

The death comes just ten months after Manzano’s wife, Ashleigh LeeAnn Boyd Manzano-Aguilar, a 24-year-old second-grade teacher, died in a head-on car collision in Topeka, Kansas. The accident also resulted in serious injuries to an infant passenger and the driver of another vehicle. Ashleigh was described in her obituary as an incredibly kind, caring, and beautiful individual. Her vibrant personality was infectious, brightening any room she entered. She was compared to a ray of sunshine, always wearing a warm smile on her face.

Tico Sports president CiCi Rojas described Manzano as an “enthusiastic and energetic team player who was well-liked and respected.” Rojas added that he was “a talented and professional broadcaster” who was “a devoted father to his young daughter, a helpful colleague, and loyal friend.”

A Mexico City native, Manzano earned his degree at Kansas State University and had recently joined the Chiefs Television Crew as a sideline reporter at the beginning of the last NFL season. This would have been his third consecutive year covering the Super Bowl. He had been working at Telemundo for three years and had recently begun anchoring in addition to his reporting duties.

In a previous interview with KSNT-TV, Manzano expressed his dedication to expanding football’s reach among Spanish-speaking audiences. “The Kansas City Chiefs are growing so fast in Mexico City,” Manzano highlighted the rapid growth of the Kansas City Chiefs’ popularity in Mexico City, emphasizing the importance of connecting with the Spanish-speaking community. He noted that while soccer has been deeply rooted in Hispanic and Latino culture historically, there is potential for football to become a favorite sport within this community.

Before his death, Manzano had already filed several stories from Super Bowl LIX, including coverage from opening night and interviews with fans in New Orleans. He was scheduled to serve as a sideline reporter for the Spanish broadcast crew during Sunday’s game.

The Kansas City community mourned his loss, with the mayor describing him as “so young and full of energy” and someone who covered almost every event in the community.

His death has deeply affected the tight-knit Telemundo KC newsroom, where colleagues are planning to honor him in their newscasts. The station is cooperating with authorities as they investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Manzano and his late wife are survived by their daughter Eleanor, who is now two years old. Both Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports have expressed their commitment to honoring his memory and supporting his family during this difficult time.